President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders that have the potential to impact Washingtonians who are working, living, studying or visiting here with a visa, green card or as a refugee. He has also indicated his intention to repeal the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) order implemented by President Barack Obama. Currently, his administration is forcibly separating children from their asylum-seeking families at our southern border. Gov. Jay Inslee has spoken out against these orders, pledging that Washington will remain a state that welcomes people of all faiths, nationalities and orientations.
Washington is home to thousands of immigrants and refugees. If you or someone you know needs assistance understanding the potential impacts of these orders or are experiencing problems related to restricted travel or securing the appropriate visa or refugee documentation, the following state agencies and organizations might be able to help.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally-recognized legal services organization founded in 1984. Each year, NWIRP provides direct legal assistance in immigration matters to over 10,000 people. NWIRP also strives to achieve systemic change to policies and practices affecting immigrants through impact litigation, public policy work, and community education.
AirportLawyer.org
AirportLawyer.org collects information about vulnerable immigrants arriving at designated international airports. They then share this information with community partners who provide lawyers to monitor arrivals at the airport
American Immigration Lawyers Association
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of more than 14,000 attorneys who practice immigration law. For assistance with locating an immigration attorney in your area, use the following search tool: http://www.ailalawyer.org/
American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
ACLU Washington provides information, assistance and legal information to immigrants and refugees in Washington state. You can contact their Intake and Referral Phone Line at 206.624.2180 (generally period of availability is 10:00-3:00, Tuesday through Thursday) or submit an online request here.
Latina/o Bar Association of Washington
LBAW facilitates access to legal services by offering free topic-based legal education and advice to low-income and underserved community members. In collaboration with pro bono attorneys and community organizations, like El Centro de la Raza, LBAW members and volunteers have coordinated legal educational presentations and advice clinics at various locations throughout Western and Eastern Washington. For more information, visit http://www.lbaw.org or email clinics@lbaw.org.
Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington
MELAW, in conjunction with the Muslim Community Resource Center (MCRC). This clinic is open to all who income qualify, but will be focused on reaching the Muslim and Middle Eastern community. Clients each receive a 30 minute session. This is hosted as a King County Bar Association Neighborhood Clinic. Location: Muslim Association of Puget Sound, multi-purpose room (17550 NE 67th Ct, Redmond). For more information, or to join MELAW, contact info@melegal.com or visit the MELAW website.
OneAmerica
OneAmerica is Washington’s largest immigrant advocacy organization, and is a resource for Know Your Rights training, naturalization services, organizing and advocacy for the rights and due process of immigrants, refugees and other members of the community. For more information go to www.weareoneamerica.org or for naturalization go to www.WAnewamericans.org, send an email to info@weareoneamerica.org, or call 206-723-2203.
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children
LCYC provides critical legal services to children experiencing separation from parents due to changes in immigration policy and enforcement. In partnership with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, LCYC represents immigrant youth who were abused, abandoned or neglected by a parent and may be eligible for a type of immigration relief called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. LCYC has also designed a Safety Plan to help families proactively, before encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Find more information on the organizations' website.
Washington Minority Bar Associations
The Washington Minority Bar Association provides information and resources connecting minorities and their lawyers to legal bar associations in Washington. The Washington Minority Bar Association website includes links to regional minority bar associations.
El Centro de la Raza
El Centro is an organization grounded in the Latino community working to build unity across all racial and economic sectors. The organization aims to provide resources and support to organize, empower and defend the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. El Centro provides services and advocacy for children and youth, human and emergency services, education and asset building and community building and development. Contact El Centro de la Raza at 2524 16th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144 or 206-957-4634.
Attorney General’s Office
While the Attorney General’s Office cannot represent individual Washingtonians, it is requesting information from Washington residents on the impacts they are experiencing, or expect to experience, as a result of the Trump administration’s family separation policy. If you have a personal experience to share, please call 1-844-323-3864.
WorkSource job search
Many immigrants and refugees working with local non-profit organizations to find a job are referred to WorkSource for employment help. The Employment Security Department and WorkSource centers across the state can help immigrants and refugees look for work, and can connect them to other resources. Go to www.WorkSourceWA.com for online services and to locate the nearest WorkSource center.
State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
The Department of Social and Health Services’ Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance provides a broad array of programs and services to help refugees and immigrants achieve economic self-sufficiency and cultural integration into Washington ‘s communities. These services include the following:
- Refugee Cash and Medical Assistance
- Refugee Health Screening
- Employment Services
- Vocational English Language Programs
- Comprehensive Case Management
- Self-sufficiency and integration educational workshops
- Refugee School Impact Grant
- Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program
- Mental Health Services
- Naturalization Services
For more information, please contact Sarah Peterson at sarah.peterson@dshs.wa.gov or 206-568-5568.
Washington Congressional Delegation
As Washington state’s representatives to the federal government, the offices of our state’s 2 U.S. Senators and 10 U.S. Representatives can be of assistance in providing you with information about how federal policy changes may affect your community. And each office employs caseworkers who can assist you in your dealings with the federal government (such as visa approvals from the U.S. State Department). U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell represent the entire state, while each of the 10 representatives represent a different congressional district. If you are uncertain which district you live in, you can identify your U.S. Representative by typing your zip code into this House.gov website.
- U.S. Senator Patty Murray
- U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
- U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01)
- U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02)
- U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03)
- U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04)
- U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05)
- U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06)
- U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
- U.S. Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08)
- U.S. Representative Adam Smith (WA-09)
- U.S. Representative Denny Heck (WA-10)